India for talks to end crisis

India yesterday stressed the importance of resolving the ongoing political crisis in Bangladesh through dialogue and holding a free and fair election peacefully.
“It is for the people of Bangladesh to decide their own future.  India supports holding of free and fair elections in Bangladesh,” it said in a statement.
“In a multi-party democracy such as Bangladesh, differences are best resolved through dialogue and peaceful means. This will strengthen democratic institutions and contribute to the realisation of the goals of peace, stability and development in Bangladesh,” stated the spokesperson of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
Meanwhile, Canada, another important development partner of Bangladesh, yesterday said “neither hartals nor arrests are conducive to dialogue. Canada remains committed to working with Bangladesh to overcome the challenges it faces.”
“Constructive dialogue between the government and the opposition is essential to free, fair and credible elections,” said Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Heather Cruden in a press statement.
Canada remains deeply concerned by the mounting and deadly political violence that has exacted a high cost to Bangladesh in terms of injuries and lives lost, mentioned the diplomat.
“We also note with dismay recent attacks on religious communities. We continue to urge all parties to end the violence and work toward peacefully resolving the current situation. The impact on the most vulnerable members of the society cannot be underestimated -- economic, social and development,” pointed out Cruden.
She added: Canada supports peaceful protest as fundamental to the exercise of democratic rights, but use of violence by any political party or group is against both Bangladeshi and Canadian values such as respect for human rights, democracy and pluralism.
Stressing the need for dialogue, she said all parties and political organisations should engage in dialogue to address the ongoing political issues, peacefully exercise their rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, and work to ensure that the upcoming general election is transparent, inclusive, credible and peaceful.
Earlier on Sunday night, Chinese Ambassador to Dhaka Li Jun in a press statement said, “The same as Bangladesh people, I am deeply worried about the recent development of the political situation. I hope that the two prominent political parties would take concrete efforts to signal each other goodwill, and to re-establish people's confidence in resolving the differences through dialogue.”